Apparatus for the control of railway switches



Dec. 4, 1928. 1,694,050

H. S. YOUNG APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Sept. 10, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR; H. 8, ya uhq,

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H. S. YOUNG APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Sept. 10, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 fi 3 E .2:

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Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED or STATES 1,694,050 PATENT oF-Fict;

HENRY S. YOUNG, OF WILKINSBURG, EENNS'YLVANIA,,ASSIGNO'R TO THE UNION swrron a SIGNAL COMPANY, PENNSYLVANIA.

F SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF APPARATUS FORTHE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SWITCHES.

Application file-d September 10, 1927.- Serial No. 218 804.-

embodying my invention, and will then point,

out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Flg. 1 1s a iew, partly diagrammatic, showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing modifications of portions of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1

and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters reter'tosimilar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch which is operated by a fluid pressure motor B through the medium of a switch operating mechanism F, the motor B being in; turn controlled by a valve device C.

The motor B comprises a cylinder 5 con-- taining a piston 6,'which is operatively connected with a slide bar 7. The slide bar 7 carries a stud S which co-operates with an allis, tor jaw 9 attached to a'cran k arm 10,

which in turn is pivotally connected with an operating rod 11 connected with the movable rails of the switch A. The movable rails of the switch are also connected with a lock rod which co-operates with the slide bar 7 by means of apparatus which is well known in the art, but which is omitted from the drawing for the reason that it forms no part of my present invention r The valvemechanism C comprises a norm-almagnet magnet L. These magnets controlthe valve mechanism in such manner that when the normal magnet N is energized, fluidpressure der 5 to move piston 6 to the left, thereby shifting switch A to its reverse position. The valve mechanism is locked at all times except when the lock magnet L is energized, and, consequently, it is essential that this N, a reverse magnet R, and a. lock magnet be energized. whenever the switch is who moved v The slide'bar carries a cam 13 co operating. with two rollers 23 and 24, which actuate indication contacts 1, 2, 3 and i. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the operation ofthese contacts, is as follows: lVhen the slide bar 7 is in its full normal position,- contacts 1 and 3 are closed but contacts2 and 4 are open.- When the slide bar is in its tail reverse position contacts 2 and 4 are closed and contacts -1 and 3 are open. During the movement of the switch from normalvto reverse positions contact 1 opens and contact 2 closes as soon as the slide bar 7 moves away from its extreme normal position, and contact 3 opens and contact 4: closes just as the slide-bar 7 reaches its full reverse position. During movement of the switch from reverse to normal positions, contact 4 opens and contact 8- closes as soon as the slidebar 7 moves away, fromits full reverse position, and contact 2 opens and confull normal position. I

The valve magnets N, R" and L are contact l closes just as the slide bar reaches its trolled by" arelay D which is responsive to,

reversals of the relative polarity of the current with which it is supplied. ThatIisto say, .the relay'coniprisesnormal contactsfl'? and 19 which are closed when the. relay is supplied with current of normal polarity, and it also comprises reverse contacts 18' and 19 whiclrare closed when the relay is supplied with current of reverse polarity. The relay also has two neutral contacts 15 and 16*, which are closed when the relay is supplied with current of either polarity. In the formshown in 1, relay D is ofthe polarized direct current type. This relay is supplied with current from a transmission line com prising. wires 21 and 22, andthe circuit for the relay includesa pole-changer P which will usually be apart of a manually operablelever in an interlocking machine. The transmission line 21-22 is constantly supplied with direct current from a suitablesource, such as a battery E.

The; operation of the apparatus shown in. Fig.1 is as follows: As shown in the drawing,-

the pole-changer P' in its normal position, so that the normal contacts of relay Dare closed and switch A is in its normal position, When the operator desires to reverse switch A, hereverses the position of the polechanger nism C. i

' closes the circuit for normal magnet N.

P, thereby causing the normal contacts 17 and 19 of relay D to open and the reverse contacts 18 and 20 of this relay to close. flows from transmission wire 22 through neutral contact and reverse contact of relay D, and the reverse magnetR to transmission wire 21. Lock magnet L also becomes energized by virtue of a circuit which passes from wire 22, through neutral contact 16 and reverse contact 18 of relay D, contacts 1 and 3 in circuit controller G, and lock magnet L to wire 21. Magnets R and L being energized, and magnet N being de-energized, fluid pressure is supplied to the motor device B to cause this device to shift slide bar 7 to the left, thereby moving switch A to its reverse position. As soon as this movement of the slide bar begins, contact 1 opens and contact 2 closes, whereupon a secondcircuit for lock magnet L becomes closed, this circuit'being from wire 22, through contacts 2 and 3 of circuit controller G and magnet L to wire 21. l/Vhen slide bar 7 reaches the end of its stroke, contact 3 will open and contact 41 will close, thereby de-cnergizing lock magnet L, and this results in the locking of the valve mecha- To return the switch to its normal position, the operator restores the polechanger P to its normal position, thereby again energizing relay D in the normal direction. The opening ofcontact 20 opens the circuit for the re verse magnet R, and the closing of contact 19 The closing of contact 17 of relay D closes a third circuit 'for lock magnet L, which circuit is from wire 22, through neutral contact 16 and normal contact 17 of relay D, contact 4 of circuit controller G. and lock magnet L to circuit includes contacts 2 and 3.

wire 21. Ma nets Nanci L being energized, motor device l3 operates to return the Switch A to its normal position. At the beginning 01 the movement of slide bar 7, contact 4 opens and contact 3 closes, whereupon lock magnet L is energized by the second circuit traced hereinbefore for this magnet, which At the end of the movement ot'the slide bar 7, contact 2 opens and contact l closes, thereby again deenergizing magnet L and so looking the valve j mechanism C.

It will be observed that the normal magnet N is energized whenever relay D is energized in normal direction, and that the reverse magnet R energized whenever relay D is energized in the reverse direction. It will furthermore be observed that the lock magnet L is energized through contacts 2 and 3 whenever the slide bar 7 is not in an extreme position. It follows that if the switch operating mechanism is shifted out of the extreme position corresponding to the position of the olarized contacts on relay D, motor device will be supplied with fluid pressure to rostore the slide bar 7 and switch A-to the posi- Current then tion corresponding to the positionof the po,

The control of thenormal and reverse magnets Nand R by relay D is exactly the same as in Fig. 1. When the operator desires to reverse the switch A he reverses pole-changer P, thereby reversing relay D, with the result that loc magnet L becomes energized by virtue of a circuit which passes from wire 22, through reverse contact 18 of relay D, contact 24 of circuit controller G and magnet L to wire 21. This circuit remains closed until the slide bar 7 reachesits full reverse position, whereupon contact 24 opens, so'that lock magnet L becomes de-energized. To restore the switch to its normal position the operator restores pole-changer P to its normal position, thereby returning rela D to its normal position, with the result tiat lock magnet L becomes energized by a circuit which passes from wire 22, throughnormal contact 17 on relay 1), contact 23 of circuit controller G, and magnet L to wire 21. When the slide bar 7 reaches its full normal position contact 23 opens, thereby de-energizing lock magnet L.

Referring .now to Fig. 3, the apparatus is the same as that shown in Fig; 1, except that the control relay, which is here designated 1), is an alternating current relay compris ing a rotor 25 and two stator windings 26 and 27. lVinding 26 is constantly energized from the transmission line 21, 22, which in this instance is supplied'withalternating current from a generator E Winding T27 is supplied with current ofone relative aolarity or the other from the transmissionline 21, 22 through thepole-changer P, Contacts 17 and 19 are closed when winding 27 of relay D is supplied With current ofnormal relative polarity, and contacts 18 and 20 are closed when this winding is supplied with current of reverse relative polarity. The control of the valve magnets by relay D is the same as the control of the valve magnets in Fig. 1, with iii) the exception thatjthe neutral contacts 15 and 16 are, of course, omitted from the circuits of these magnets.

As shown in Fig. 3, a transformer T is interposed between the transmission line 21, 22 and the pole-changer P to electrically insulate the circuit for relay winding 27 from all other circuits in the system, thus providing maximum protection against false operation of any switch or signahdue to grounds or crossed wires.

One feature of my invention is the fact Ill that it requiresonly two control wires from .the pole-changer P to the controlling relay D or D". Another feature of my invention, which applies particularly toFigs. 1 andQ, is that maximum protection against false operation of switches and signals by grounds or crossed wires isobtained by the use of the polarized relay, because the control circuit for this relay does not connect with the transmission line 21, 22 except through the contacts of pole-changer P. I Although I have herein shown and described only a few forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: y

1. In combination, a railway switch; operating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comp: sing normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet; a relay having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means including a manually operable lever for supplying said relay-with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, a circuit for said 1 normal magnet including a normal contact of said relay, .a'circuit for said. reverse magnet including a reverse contact of said relay; four indication contacts controlled by said operating mechanism, the firs and third of which are closed when the mechanismis in its full normal position, the second and fourth of which are closed when the mechanism is in" its full reverse position, the first of which ens and the second of which closes at the opens and the fourth of which closes at the end of reverse operation of saidmechanism, the fourth of which opens and the third of which closes at the beginning of a movement of said mechanism from reverse positioluand the second of which opens andthe first closes the end of a normal operation of said mech anism; a first circuit for said loclrmagnet including a reverse contact'on said relay and the first and third of said. indication contacts, a second circuitfor said lock magnet including the second and third indication contacts, and a third circuit for said loch magnet including a normal contact on said relay and the ncginning of an operation of said mechanisn'r from normal position, the third of which anism is not in the corresponding full'normal or reverse position. I 3. In combination, a railway sw1tch; op

crating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet; a relay having normalandreversev contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relayis supplied with current ofnormal orreverse relative polarity, means including a'n'ianually operable lever for supplying said relayv with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, a circuit for said normal magnet including a normal contact of said relay, a circuit for said reverse magnet includinga reverse contact of said rel d' t' l t t ll l-b l ay, incica 1011 contac u con i0 ec y salt operating mechanism, and means controlled omtlyby said relay contacts and said indication contactsfor GIIQIglZlIlg said lock magnet at all times except when the relay contacts and the operating mechanism are in con responding extreme p osltionsl. In combination, ar'ailway switch, an operating mechanism for said switch hav" g normal and reverse positionsand, comprising a lock magnet; a relay havingnormal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means lncludmg a manually operable lever for supplying said relay wlth current of nor,-

mal or reverse relative polarity, means for moving said operating mechanism to its normal or itsreverse position accordin as the normal or reverse contacts of saidrelay are closed and provided said locl; magnet is energized, four indication contacts controlled by 7 said operating mechanism, the first and third of which are closed when the mechanism is in its full normal position, the second and 'lZO fourth of which are closed when the mechanism is in its full reverse position, the first of which opens and the second of-which closes at the beginning of an operation of said mech anism from normal position, thethird of which opens and the fourth of which closes at the end of a reverse operation of said mechanism, the fourth of which opens and the third of which closes at the beginning of a movement of said mechanism from reverse I position, andthe second of which opens and the firstcloses at the end of a normal operation. of said mechanism; a first circuit for said lock magnet including a reverse contact on said relay and the first and third of said indication contacts, a second circuit forsaid lock magnet including the second'and third indication contacts, and a third circuit for said lock magnet including a normal contact on said relay and the fourth indication contact. i 5. In combination, a railway switch, an op erating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a lock magnet; a relay having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means including a manually operable'lever for supplying said relay with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means for moving said operating mechanism to its normail or its reverse position according as the normal or reverse contacts of said relay are closed and provided said lock magnet is energized, indication contacts controlled by said operating mechanism, and means controlled jointly by said relaycontacts and said indication contacts for energizing said lock magnet whenever the normal or reverse relay contacts a re closed and the operating mechanism is not in the corresponding full normal or reverse position. r

6. In combination, a railway switch, an operatingmechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a lock magnet; a relay having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means including a manually oper able lever for supplying said relay with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means for moving said operating mechanism to its normal or its reverse position according as thenormal or reverse contacts of said relay are closed and provided said lock magiet is energized, indication contacts controlled by said operating mechanism, and means controlled jointly by said relay contacts and said indication contacts for energizing said lock n'iagnet at all times except when the relay contacts and the operating mechanism are in corresponding extreme positions. y

7. In combination, a railway switch, an operating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a lock magnet; a relay having normal and reversecont'acts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means including a manually operable lever for supplying said relay with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means for mov ing said operating mechanism to its normal or its reverse position according'as the normal or reverse contacts of said relay are closed and provided said lock magnet is energized, an indication contact controlled by said operating mechanism, and means for controlling said lock magnet ointly by said relay contacts and by said indication contact.

8. In combination, a railway switch; op-- erating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a normal m agnet, a reverse magnet anda loo magnet; a relay having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with ourrent of normal or reverse relative polarity,

means including a manually operable lever for supplying said relay wlth current of normal or reverse relative polarity, a. circuit for said normal magnet including a normal contact of said relay, a circuit for said reverse magnet including a reverse contactof said relay; indication contacts controlled by said operating mechanism, and means for controlling said lock magnet jointly by said relay contacts and by said indication contacts.

9. In combination, a railway switch, an operating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse positions and comprising a lock magnet; a relay having normal and reverse contacts one or the-other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal orreverse relative polarity, means including a manually operable lever for supplying said relay with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, means for moving said operating mechanism to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal or reverse contacts of said relay are closed and provided said lock magnet 15 energized, indication contacts controlled by said operating mechanism, and means, for energizing said lock magnet'at all times except,

when said operating mechanism is in its full normal or its full reverse position.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

HENRY S. YOUNG. 

